Samsung looks ready to shake up its flagship camera setup once again. According to a fresh leak, the upcoming Galaxy S27 Ultra may drop the 3x telephoto camera that has been a regular feature on Ultra phones for years. Instead of keeping four rear cameras, Samsung might move to a three-camera system and use the saved space to deliver bigger upgrades elsewhere.
If the rumor turns out to be true, this could be one of the most important camera changes Samsung has made since the Galaxy S24 Ultra.
What the New Leak Says
The information comes from well-known tipster Ice Universe, who shared on X that the 3x telephoto lens “is simply gone” on the Galaxy S27 Ultra. The leaker did not say it would be replaced with a different zoom level. It sounds like Samsung plans to remove it completely.
This would be a major change because every Galaxy S Ultra phone since the Galaxy S21 Ultra has included a 3x optical zoom camera. Removing it would leave the Galaxy S27 Ultra with a main camera, an ultrawide, and a single telephoto lens, which is a setup similar to the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max.
Why Samsung May Be Making This Move
The current 10MP 3x telephoto on the Galaxy S26 Ultra is often called the weakest camera in the lineup. It uses a smaller sensor than the other rear cameras, which all sit at 50MP or higher. Many users feel that the 3x camera does not match the quality of the rest of the system, especially in low light.
Samsung also seems confident that the new 200MP main sensor can handle 3x zoom shots through smart cropping. The main camera will reportedly use the new ISOCELL HP6 sensor. This should provide enough detail for clean results at shorter zoom ranges, without needing a separate lens.
A Possible Upgrade for the 5x Telephoto
Reports also suggest that Samsung could improve the 5x periscope telephoto camera. Some leaks hint at a larger 200MP sensor for this lens, which would make distant shots sharper and more detailed. If Samsung pulls this off, long-range zoom could become a real strength of the Galaxy S27 Ultra.
A New Generation Ultrawide Camera
The ultrawide lens is also expected to get a fresh upgrade. According to Ice Universe, this new ultrawide may first appear on the Galaxy Z Fold 8 later this year. It could then make its way to the Galaxy S27 Ultra. Leakers are also talking about variable aperture support, which would help the camera adjust to different lighting conditions for cleaner photos.
What This Means for Users
If you mostly take photos at 1x, 2x, or far-distance zoom, you may not miss the 3x camera at all. The main sensor and the improved 5x lens should fill the gap for most everyday shots.
However, photographers who enjoy portraits at medium range may feel the loss. A dedicated 3x lens often gives more natural background blur and better depth. A cropped image from the main sensor rarely matches this. Brands like OPPO, Xiaomi, and vivo have shown that a strong 3x camera can produce stunning results. Because of this, some users may wish Samsung had kept and improved this lens.
Other Changes Coming to the Galaxy S27 Ultra
The camera is not the only area getting attention. Samsung is also rumored to be redesigning the rear panel to support Qi2 magnetic charging, which would let the phone snap onto magnetic accessories like the iPhone does. Samsung is also expected to equip the Galaxy S27 Ultra with the new Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro chip for faster performance and better battery life.
Final Thoughts
The Galaxy S27 Ultra is shaping up to be a major refresh rather than a small update. Dropping the 3x telephoto may sound like a step back at first, but if Samsung delivers on the promised upgrades to the main, ultrawide, and 5x cameras, the overall photo quality could actually improve.
Since the phone is not expected to launch until early 2027, there is still time for plans to change. For now, fans can look forward to one of the biggest camera shake-ups Samsung has attempted in years.
